The evidence indicates that the scroll (book) symbolizes God’s eternal purpose for man’s salvation and the grand scheme of redemption. That’s why, it would seem, that John became so upset, even to the point of tears, “because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.” Here was the greatest Message of all. Here was a document, information, the likes of which had never been seen and would never be seen again. But because no one was worthy, no one was able to open it, the contents would ever be known! That was what had John crying.

But this plan, this grand scheme of redemption was formulated in the mind of God before the earth began. It was a mystery—not in the sense of an Agatha Christie mystery novel, not that kind of a cloak and dagger kind of mystery. No. The mystery that we’re talking about here is something that was unknown, something that was hidden, that is, until it could be revealed. God purposed, or planned, that this salvation, which existed as a mystery, should be brought forth and made known on His terms. Paul refers to it in Ephesians, chapter 1, as “in…the fullness of times.”

Let’s notice that reference, because it goes along with what we are talking about here. Keep in mind this image of this scroll and the contents of this scroll as John views it. This would be many, many years after Paul has written here in Ephesians, chapter 1, beginning with verse 7 through verse 10: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace ⁸which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, ⁹having made known to us the mystery of His Will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, ¹⁰that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.”

Then, notice verse 11 of Ephesians, chapter 1: “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him Who works all things according to the counsel of His Will….” For ages and ages, for generations and generations, this mystery, this unknown, unrevealed plan of God had been hidden in God. That’s what Paul says in Ephesians 3, verse 9 [Ephesians 3:8-11: “To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, ⁹and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God Who created all things through Jesus Christ; ¹⁰to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, ¹¹according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord….”] “Principalities and powers” indicates that both earthly realms, as well as heavenly realms, did not understand what God was doing. But they were now learning the “manifold wisdom of God” through the fulfilling and revealing of the purpose in Christ IN the church, Ephesians 3, verse 10 (above).

Peter says in 1 Peter 1, and verse 12, that angels had desired to look into it. Prophets of old had been given glimpses of what it included, but they realized that the plan was not to be revealed in their day. But it would be fulfilled and made known at a later date. [1 Peter 1:10-12: “Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, ¹¹searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ Who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. ¹²To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the Gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.”]

Christ had NOW made this possible. What was it that had made this possible? Was it just God being capricious and arbitrarily saying, “Okay, now’s the time—let’s do it”? No, there was a series of very specific events, which took place in time and in history and in eternity so that this scroll could be opened, so that this mystery could be revealed. And those events all centered around this Lamb, this image, this vision of this Lamb Who had been slain, but was now standing—that is Christ. He had provided the acceptable sacrifice for sin. He had defeated Satan. He had conquered sin and death, and He had fulfilled the purpose of God. Now, He was in a position to take the purpose, or plan, of God out of the hand of God and send forth the Holy Spirit to reveal this Truth. He Himself would carry out the purpose to its ultimate consummation.

That is, in a summary way, what this section of Revelation, chapter 5, is about. It’s being told by the use of images, by the use of symbolism, but that is the thrust of this Message. That is what is being revealed to John on this occasion. This concept, the concept of the scroll, or of the book, is in harmony with the entire New Testament, AND it will be confirmed as we continue on in Revelation.

The Lamb is Praised by the Four Living Creatures and the Twenty-Four Elders (verses 8-10)

Verses 8-10: Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:

"You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth."